Title: Raised by WolvesAuthor: Jennifer Lynn Barnes (site)
Published: June 8th, 2010 by EgmontUSA
Pages: 418
Price: $11.99 Book Depository $12.23 Amazon
Series: Raised by Wolves #1
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.
But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.
But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped? (Goodreads)
Initial Thoughts: I was a bit worried that this book would be the same old werewolf story, but it's far from it. I liked that she wasn't a werewolf herself.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The main character (Bryn) was a lot of fun to read. Instead of the usual protective wolf/submissive, delicate girl combo, there was a pack of Overprotective Wolves and one Headstrong Girl. She didn't just bow down and follow the pack rules, which made the book much more fun. This was a fast, easy read. It was easy to jump right in and become lost in the story. This isn't to say that the story itself was fluff- there was quite a bit going on. Barnes' writing is just very absorbing and her characters were engaging, although I wish we'd gotten into the heads of some of the other characters. The werewolf mythology was a bit different. There aren't many female werewolves, so the males usually marry human women- which makes for an interesting relationship with the local human population. Bryn misses some pretty obvious hints about what's going on in the story, but I'm willing to look past her cluelessness. Otherwise, she's a great character. The mystery was a bit predictable, but the ending was a showstopper. I'm still not sure if it was really cool or too much, but I can't wait to see where it goes in the next book.
Quick Review: An absorbing, fast read with a headstrong female lead and a crazy twist at the end. The romantic interest was pretty fantastic, as well.
